Chances are, you know how to handle basic first aid at home. You have ice packs for head bonks, bandages in various sizes for minor scrapes and cuts and over-the-counter medicine for fevers and headaches. You also know that you should call 9-1-1 if you or a loved one shows signs of a heart attack or stroke. But what about all the concerns that fall in between, like deep gashes, high fevers and broken bones?

“When you or a loved one is injured or sick, it is most important to see a doctor sooner rather than later,” says Bridgeport Hospital Chairman of Emergency Medicine Michael Werdmann, MD. “If the injury or illness can’t wait for an appointment, an Urgent Care Center or Walk-in Medical Center is an immediate way to get medical attention. If the physicians there determine that the situation should be handled at the hospital, they will call an ambulance to bring the patient to the Emergency Department.” Two exceptions, he says, are the elderly and small children. “Parents know their children best,” says Dr. Werdmann. “If a parent is very concerned, it may be better to go directly to the hospital.”

Here are some guidelines to help determine where to go for certain injuries and illnesses.